Methods, systems, and devices for providing communications capabilities to equipment of swimming pools and spas

ABSTRACT

Communications capabilities are supplied to components of pool water recirculation systems, even if the components lack electrical power or supply wires. Capabilities may be furnished by wireless RF devices that connect to existing fittings or ports of the components, for example. The devices are configured to obtain desired information relating to the components (or the water within them) and transmit the information remotely for processing or consideration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/779,552, filed Mar. 13, 2013, entitled “Meansfor Providing Internet Connectivity to Swimming Pool Equipment,” theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to methods of establishing communications withequipment and more particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, tomethods, systems, and devices for retrofitting or otherwise furnishingto pool and spa equipment capabilities of communicating via radiofrequency signals or otherwise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Equipment such as pumps and filters, for example, are typically includedas components of water-recirculation systems of swimming pools and spas.Historically, this equipment has lacked any electronic communicationscapabilities. Indeed, some components of these water-recirculationsystems may lack even an electrical supply, wholly preventing them fromcommunicating electronically.

More recently, users of pools and spas have realized that ability toadjust operations of pool and spa equipment remotely may have benefit tothem in numerous situations. Commonly-owned U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2012/0185571 of Uy details certain systems and methodsfor doing so. Some systems of the Uy application include a computerizedcontroller and a networking device configured to transfer signalsbetween transmit-capable pool equipment, on the one hand, and mobile orfixed control devices such as laptop or desktop computers orconventional smart phones (as examples). The mobile or fixed controldevices may be remote from the pool equipment, furthermore, and signalsmay be transmitted via the Internet if appropriate or desired.

Although systems and methods of the Uy application are commerciallysuccessful, they do not resolve the problem of furnishingsignal-transmission and -receipt capabilities to pool equipment that, asmade or deployed, lacks such capabilities. The systems and methodsfurther do not address supplying wireless signal-transmission and-receipt competencies to this equipment.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0027359 of Stiles, Jr., etal., discloses an example of a pumping system in which a controllercontrols operation of a motor of the system. The controller, motor, andpump may form a single unit, or the controller may be mounted onto ahousing for the motor and pump. Sensors may be “operatively connected”to the controller to “provide . . . sensory information thereto.” SeeStiles, Jr., col. 3, ¶¶ 0027-28. No other “communication” appearscontemplated by the system of the Stiles, Jr., application, however, noris any radio frequency (RF) or other wireless signal-transmission and-receipt ability ascribed to any component of the system.

Internet connectivity with an equipment pad at a pool currently islimited to certain products with built-in control systems or thatconnect to a master control system via electrical wires. The mastercontrol system may, in turn, connect wirelessly to the Internet via arouter. Missing, however, is any solution for connecting to the Internetany components lacking electrical power or electrical supply wires.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides such a solution. Available both for newmanufactures and for retrofitting existing equipment, the presentinvention provides communications capabilities to components that maylack electrical power or supply wires. Devices of the inventionpreferably may be easily configurable by homeowners or other users orservicers of pools and spas as well.

At least some versions of the invention include wireless RF devices thatconnect to various types of pool equipment through (preferably existing)fittings, ports, or other attachment or access locations. For example,certain of these devices may be screwed or otherwise inserted intoexisting drain ports of pumps or pressure gauges of filter housings. Thedevices are capable of obtaining desired information and transmitting itremotely for direct or indirect connection to the Internet.Alternatively or additionally, they may receive information and actresponsively (as by actuating another device, for example). The devicesbeneficially may be low-power, battery-operated digital devices,although other devices—and other power-generating means (e.g. solarpower, water turbines, piezoelectric devices, etc.) may be employedinstead.

Communications protocols such as ZigBee and ZWave are commonly used inhome automation systems to interconnect low-power components in awireless network within the home. The network may be connected to theInternet through a wireless gateway or other device. Devices of thepresent invention may be compatible with these or other communicationsprotocols. Although wireless RF devices are presently preferred, wireddevices or wireless devices signalling in other manners (e.g. laser,ultrasonic, sonic, infrared, ultraviolet, optically, etc.) mayalternatively or additionally be used. The devices also may transmitself-identifying information or information relating to their locationsin a pool water-circulation system.

Once inserted and operational, devices of the invention may gather andtransmit various types of information. Non-limiting examples of suchinformation include such things as filter housing pressure, pump housingpressure (including decreased pressure or “vacuum”), pump or filterturbidity, chemical characteristics of pool or spa water, watertemperature, water flow rate, number of on/off cycles of therecirculating system, or run time (either for a cycle or aggregated overmultiple cycles) of the system. In particular, pressure readingsobtained of water in a circulating system may allow for calculation orother determination of pump performance over time. By passing some orall of the information to the Internet, it may be processed oraccessible remote from the pool equipment pad and, if appropriate,result in operational adjustments being made or suggested.

It thus is an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention toprovide communications capabilities to components that may lackelectrical power or supply wires.

It is another optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention toprovide communications capabilities to such components ofwater-recirculation systems of swimming pools and spas.

It is also an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention toprovide wireless RF devices that mechanically connect to such componentsthrough existing fittings, ports, or other attachment or accesslocations.

It is a further optional, non-exclusive object of the present inventionto provide wireless devices capable of gathering information about thecomponent, system, or water of the system and transmitting it remotely.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will beapparent to those skilled in appropriate fields with reference to theremaining text and the drawings of this application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pump useful as part of a pool waterrecirculation system with exemplary devices of the present inventionconnected to its drainage ports.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the pump, and apartly-exploded view of the exemplary devices, of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a filter useful as part ofa pool water recirculation system together with an exemplary device ofthe present invention incorporated into a filter-loading gauge.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the portion of the filter of FIG. 3 withthe exemplary device of that figure connected thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Depicted in FIGS. 1-2 is a pump P useful in a water-recirculationsystem. Pump P may be conventional, as the present invention isespecially adapted for retrofitting existing components withcommunications capabilities. Pump P need not be conventional, however,as the present invention is not limited to use with existing products oreven with pumps.

The conventional pump P of FIGS. 1-2 includes inlet 10 and outlet 14.Included within pump P may be such things as a strainer basket, animpeller, and a motor. In use, the motor turns the impeller, drawingwater through inlet 10, the strainer basket, and the impeller beforeexiting via outlet 14. The water-flow path between inlet 10 and theimpeller is typically called the “vacuum side” of pump P, whereas thepath between the impeller and outlet 14 is frequently referred to as the“pressure side” of the pump P.

Conventionally, pump P includes drainage ports 18 and 22 on its “wetend.” Port 18 is present on the “vacuum side” of the pump P, whereasport 22 is in the “pressure side” path of water within the pump P. Whenpump P is not in use, port 18 may be used to drain water that has passedthrough inlet 10 and the strainer basket but not yet entered theimpeller. By contrast, port 22 may be employed to drain water that haspassed through the impeller but not yet exited outlet 14. Ports 18 and22 traditionally are threaded so as to receive threaded plugs, with theplugs configured to seal the ports 18 and 22 (at least) when pump P isin use. For drainage, the plugs simply may be unscrewed so as to exposethe ports 18 and 22.

As the strainer basket fills with debris, the vacuum pressure (i.e. thereduction in pressure below ambient) increases in the region between thestrainer basket and the impeller. Hence, measuring vacuum pressure inthis region as a function of time may be beneficial. Because port 18already exists in this region, configuring a vacuum-pressure probe tofit in the port 18 likewise would be beneficial.

Similarly, obtaining pressure measurements over time on the “pressureside” of pump P may be advantageous. Together with the vacuum pressuremeasurements and, perhaps, other data (e.g. motor speed), variousimportant characteristics of the water-recirculation system may becalculated, deduced, or otherwise determined. As (non-limiting)examples, system characteristics such as water-flow rate and energyusage could be determined.

Illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 are devices 26A and 26B consistent with thepresent invention. Devices 26A and 26B are configured to fit withinports 18 and 22, respectively, replacing conventional drain plugs. Inthe exemplary versions shown, therefore, devices 26A and 26B arethreaded, may be used together with washers, gaskets, or o-rings 30 ifdesired to facilitate sealing of the ports 18 and 22, and have at leastportions of their bodies positioned externally of pump P. Devices 26Aand 26B need not be threaded or shaped, configured, or positioned asdepicted, however, as will be apparent to persons skilled in therelevant art.

Unlike conventional drain plugs, devices 26A and 26B include sensorsand, preferably, wireless RF transmitters. Alternatively, one or both ofdevices 26A and 26B could communicate via wire or other medium eitherremotely or one to the other or use other carrier means such as laser,ultrasonic, sonic, infrared, ultraviolet, or optics signals. In somecases either or both of devices 26A and 26B could include wireless orwired receivers as well.

In presently-preferred versions of the invention, devices 26A and 26Binclude pressure gauges so as to sense and measure pressures at ports 18and 22. The gauges may be transducers so as to convert mechanical energyto electrical energy. Transmitters within devices 26A and 26B transmitthe pressures, preferably doing so either continuously or periodicallyover a predetermined or determinable interval of time. Each of thegauges and transmitters may itself be conventional as long as it iscapable of functioning adequately within device 26A or 26B. The devices26A and 26B further may if desired be low-power digital devicesincluding batteries or other power sources.

Devices 26A and 26B may be part of a network of devices, includingsimilar devices deployed in fittings or ports of (or otherwise inconnection with) other components of water-recirculation systems. Ifdesired they may transmit (and, possibly, receive) wirelessly consistentwith ZigBee, ZWave, or other common communications protocols. Preferably(although not necessarily), signals originating with one or both ofdevices 26A and 26B eventually are conveyed via the Internet forprocessing or consideration at a remote location. For example,information obtained using one or more of devices 26A and 26B could beforwarded to a smart phone, laptop, desktop, tablet computer, or otherequipment of a homeowner or pool servicer for processing orconsideration. Alternatively, the information may be conveyed directly(either wirelessly or via wire) to an on-board pump controller or othercomponent.

If device 26A senses a rapid rise in vacuum (i.e. a rapid pressuredecrease), for example, the strainer basket may be clogged with debris,inhibiting adequate water flow to the impeller. A decision to withdrawpower from the motor of pump P may thus be made automatically ormanually, remotely or nearby, based at least in part on informationobtained from device 26A. Information from devices 26A and 26Badditionally could be used to help determine flow rates of water throughpump P as a function of time, energy usage of the pump P, and dynamichead of water to be pumped by pump P, etc., for conveyance to ahomeowner, servicer, manufacturer, or otherwise via the Internet orotherwise.

As noted earlier, devices identical or similar to devices 26A or 26B maybe used in connection with other pool or spa equipment. FIGS. 3-4 depictsuch usage in connection with filter F. The filter F may have port 34into which conventionally a gauge is placed to indicate loading of thefilter with debris over time. However, with the present invention, gauge38 may include a transmitter as well as a debris-loading sensor. As withpreferred versions of devices 26A and 26B, preferred embodiments ofgauge 38 include low-powered devices with wireless RF transmittersconfigured for networking using any suitable communications protocol.Indeed, devices 26A and 26B and gauge 38 advantageously may form part ofthe same network when used in the same water-recirculation system. Ifany of devices 26A or 26B or gauge 38 includes a processor, informationeven may be conveyed among the devices and gauge themselves.

The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, anddescribing embodiments of the present invention. Modifications andadaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled inthe art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For example, devices of the invention may senseinformation such as (but not limited to) temperature, flow, salinity,pH, ORP, FAC, turbidity, level, motion, gas trap characteristics, etc.Moreover, “pool,” “swimming pool,” and their plurals may include withintheir definitions spas and other water-containing vessels used forrecreational or therapeutic bathing or swimming. The entire contents ofthe Uy and Stiles, Jr. patent applications are incorporated herein bythis reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of obtaining time-varying informationabout a water-circulation system of a pool or spa, comprising: a.locating a first attachment location of a first component of the system;and b. mechanically attaching a first electronic transmitting device tothe first attachment location.